Have a 99 5.4 triton V8 and had a camshaft chain ticking on driver side head. Had it fixed and they replaced both chains and sprockets. 2 years later the ticking is back. Anyone else had this noise and how do I fix once and for all. Also chain is hitting head on outside of the head as it turns over the sprocket at the top. Ticking noise goes away when truck is at operating temp. Ideas???

 

i have a ticking noise that goes away with operating temp and ive pretty much narrowed it down to manifold gaskets/leaking manifolds... pretty common with these trucks

 

broken guides? tensioner bad? where is it hitting?

 

Good pic kb...so when chain is coming over top side of sprocket there is enough slop that it is hitting on the side of the head. Roughly 10-11 oclock of that sprocket. Not a mechanic so had a shop fix it for me last time. Looks like I could have a guide or tension problem as I see that black guide on lower left side of your pick looks as though it is there to tension chain and would stop chain from hitting my head...my mechanic even took off my valve cover and turned motor over a couple times and we watched it hit. Not a quick fix as he had to pull front half of motor(almost) off to replace and fix chains and sprockets.

 

Your mech. didnt change the guides and tensioners while he was in there? If he did, I havent heard of them failing in two years, even when people are using too thick of oil and in cold temps causing tensioners to ratchet out prematurely, I heard of mechs not pulling the pins on the new tensioners after install tho.

Are you sure this is your noise currently?

 

Im pretty sure as noise is coming from same area in front top of motor and sounds exact same and presents the same way. does go away once truck warms up. I will call them and ask him as he is a friend of mine and will remember doing my truck.

 

Don't know this will apply to your ticking Triton, give it a look maybe: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...e-flatbed.html

 

I have the same exact problem and I also think it has something to do with the small leak in my manifold gasket. I dont really want to fix it righ tnow though bc Ive heard a lot of stories of broken manifold studs. I think Ill just leave it alone since there is only a little soot on my motor. It does seem to be getting a little worse though.

 

Yeah it doesnt seem to affect overall performance...37" tires certainly slow it down...lol but overall and it quiet's down after awhile...looking to use this truck as a donar truck as I am gonna purchase a 7.3 outta the states soon...